Best Modern Tele?

[Cixelsyd]

When I went to my guitar store to purchase my brand new 52RI (I know, I keep bragging but I'm probably not going to stop until I'm dead), I played with all the different telecasters they had. I had fun playing the standards and deluxes but also thought the Roadworns and HW1s sounded very nice. The reason I picked up the 52 was that it offered that vintage tone that I automatically think of when I hear telecaster.

Of course, I don't believe that one tele is better than another. I think they all offer different qualities that match one's preference. I prefer the vintage tone, so I picked up the 52 (now I want a 62... I swear, buying guitars is more addictive than drugs), but I was wondering what everyone thought the best modern tele tone was.

My vote is for the American Deluxe Ash. Go, thread, go!

[Strongpersuader]

I agree with you. IMHO the American Deluxe Ash is the best modern Tele.

[telideli]

http://www.rondomusic.com/stl50.html

[Kornelius]

The best tele is the one i can play everyday; now it's a baja but i'm sure it could be another;

[Momotoro]

You know, all the teles I had until last week were in vintage configuration. I traded for an American Standard 97 model. And I must say, it is a fine playing guitar. Weighs 7lbs 12 oz and has those sandblasted, off-center saddles. It had lower twang value is some senses, but really is a versatile guitar.

I played one of the new models back about a year, and it was very similar to me. Some of the others with odd pickup configurations or hardware can stay at home.

American Standard is my vote

[brokenjoe]

AVRI '52 for me. But it's really a personal preference that should be left up to the player.

[krauser2]

The American Deluxe are pretty sweet

not because I one of course :P

[Momotoro]

AVRI '52 for me. But it's really a personal preference that should be left up to the player.

Modern design, right. RI's would be out, then.

[ADK Teleman]

Originally Posted by Kornelius

The best tele is the one i can play everyday; now it's a baja but i'm sure it could be another;

+1...and I am getting another best Tele in a week...:) I love that!

[dalandan]

2008 American Standard. really.

[Televised]

Didn't buy it but I sure enjoyed playing 52RI Hot Rod Deluxe.

[Cixelsyd]

Originally Posted by Kornelius

The best tele is the one i can play everyday; now it's a baja but i'm sure it could be another;

I think I phrased the question wrong. I totally agree that the best Tele (or guitar for that matter) depends on the player's preference and how much he/she enjoys playing it.

I guess the real question is, what is your favorite "modern" tele tone?

Also.. I want a baja!

[Whirly]

Of my ten guitars, my best modern tele is a G&L ASAT Classic.

http://www.glguitars.com/instruments...tars/index.asp

[boris bubbanov]

Modern tele, you say.

See if you can find a model "8502", a model discontinued a few years back. Research it; it'll be rare but you'll find one;

If you really want modern, I suggest a USA G + L ASAT Special.

The Classic is a neat guitar, and I have 2 of them, but it is more in the family of the vintage guitars; just with more knockdown ability.


I wouldn't mind an American Deluxe Ash but the current MSRP and usual retail cost is, to be blunt, laughable. If they're giving it away, I'm always interested.

[Telarkaster]

If I didn't have a Telecaster already, or if someone asked me what their first Tele should be, I would have to say the American Standard. It's the flagship of the line, the yardstick against which all others are measured, the one that will represent Fender decades from now.

That said, I may not like hot noiseless SCN pickups sound when played solo, but I can appreciate the fact that they may fit in with a band (bass and drums) better than regular single coils so the Deluxes may just be the best out there. I've never played a 52ri that did it for me, but I respect the vintage thing that attracts others. Value wise the Mexican standards offer a lot of guitar for the price. And finally, if I had the $ I would go out and get a Hot Rod 52RI, only because I already have an American Standard and 72 Thinline RI.

[Mark Davis]

Most of the G&L's Ive owned and played were way better than the USA made Fenders.

They had better finish better frets pleked just better overall.

[Groovey Records]

Way over priced but the TDPRI grand prize La Cabronita Especial (Special Little Bastard ) just may be this year most modern Tele configuration

With the TV Jones Power Tron and the Grease Bucket Circuit on n alder body it one hot enchilada

[BuddyLee]

Originally Posted by Mark Davis

Most of the G&L's Ive owned and played were way better than the USA made Fenders.

They had better finish better frets pleked just better overall.

I have to agree with you on that one. I think G&L USA is on par with Fender Custom Shop in terms of build quality. And head and shoulders above regular production Fenders. They sound different though.

[silkcityblues]

52 Reissue-USA!

[stantheman]

The "Albert Collins" from the Artist Series.
I like The American Deluxe too - mainly because of the "Tummy Cut and the Forearm Contour" with Top Binding.
Classy.
They haven't made enough "Tangerines with Rosewood Fretboards".
Somebody high on The Food Chain has got to be Color Blind!!!

[resonator]

G&L ASAT Classic (USA Built).

[dgabbear]

'52 Vintage Hot Rod Tele because of the modern radius and medium jumbo frets and slightly hotter bridge pickup and versatile mini humbucker. The U neck profile has taken some getting used to. I wish that was more of a C shape or more oval like a MIJ 52 Telecaster I have. I feel it would be a quicker neck if it wasn't the U shape. Otherwise great guitar.

[peteb]

Another vote for the flagship.

You can't go wrong with the American Standard.

[Thin69]

There are so many good choices but my personal modern favorite Tele is the Deluxe. I like the body, binding and the SCN's.

[jazztele]

the hotrod '52 is a somewhat more modern design, and the ones i've played have been excellent.

[Tele Jr]

American Ash Telecaster AKA 8502 or the Custom Shop Custom Classic Telecaster for a modern Tele in the more traditional sense.

Tele Jr and Tele Plus for best non traditional modern Tele.

[timmer114]

My 2006 Mexi Standard Tele in that nice dark sunburst finish. My first and only Tele, though I have the itch to build one from parts now.

It's a good playing guitar, though honestly I haven't played any other teles to compare it to. But either way, I still know how a guitar should feel with a good setup and quality parts.

For the 300 bucks it costed at the time, it's a nice looking and nice playing Telecaster. I have heard some of the older dated MIM teles had some QA issues, but this 2006 seems really nice.

[Ormond]

Nashville American. 3 pickups - more tonal choices.

[Groovey Records]

ttt

[morroben]

Originally Posted by resonator

G&L ASAT Classic (USA Built).

+1 I really enjoyed mine until a divorce forced me to sell it for some quick cash.
I would stay away from the Fender American Standards. I've had 2 over the years and they were the 2 worst guitars I've ever owned...not counting $20 garage sale finds, anyway.

[07 road house]

I like my 09 MIM

[Rokono]

I have a 2001 American Series Natural Ash and I love it.

[timmer114]

Hi Morrow,

Can I ask what you didn't like about the American Standards? I was eyeballing some of them in Guitar Center the other day, and they sure look sharp. One of my dreams is to someday own a brand new American Standard, so im curious what you didn't like on yours.

Thanks,
Tim

[Humbuster]

Thin SKin AV52 for maple board
and/or
Thin Skin AV62 for rw board.

[boris bubbanov]

This is a confusing thread.

In what way is modern being used? In just about every way. Is a guitar modern if it is:

1) A newly introduced product line?

2) A newly minted guitar, i.e., not an older or vintage one?

3) A more contemporary design which rejects some of the original 1952 elements?

4) It is made with CNC and comes from a sparkling new plant?

5) It has a skinny neck or die cast tuners?

6) It had an elongated bridge plate? and/or

7) It is a somewhat decent AV reproduction with a few hand selected modernizations - 4 way switch, compensated barrels, boutique pickups?

How does this thread help us understand more if we're all talking about different things, thinking we're all talking about the same thing?

[Groovey Records]

I agree BB its a mish mash of different ilk's of Tele-Kinesis.

I picked La Cabronita because of the bridge, pickup choice and the wiring.

Even between the one pup and 2 pup versions there are different features.

Like the Grease Bucket and the S1 switch

I prefer the 1 pup to the attenuated tone positions of the 2 pup model

I think this guitar falls into several of your categories for a Modern Guitar